Do I really need to eat Carbs??*

Reading this will give you an informed understanding of what
carbs I am referring to in this article and that when I say carbs
it relates to many more things than a ''bread roll''.

You may be sitting there thinking.... I'm not an athlete; so I
don't need carbs or I'm trying to lose weight - carbs are the enemy
or I don't have a very active job therefore I won't use the
energy.... I am sorry to tell you this but you are wrong on all
accounts. Carbohydrates are an essential part of everyday living;
necessary for the human body to function effectively. Now... if you
are sitting there thinking I can function on no carbs - then I
suggest you ask your co-workers/friends or partner which ''you''
they prefer.... the No-carb you or the Carb you? I think it will be
the latter.

Will Carbs make you fat -

No carbohydrates will not make you fat. As you would have read
my article What Carbs are the best? you would have noticed there
are better carbs and worse carbs. In truth over consumption of any
macro-nutrient whether it be carbs, protein or fat will cause
unwanted Fat Gain.

How do Carbs Work -

After carbohydrates have been consumed they are broken down into
smaller units of sugar (including glucose, fructose and galactose)
in the stomach and small intestine. These small units of sugar are
absorbed in the small intestine and then enter the bloodstream
where they travel to the liver. Fructose and galactose are
converted to glucose by the liver. Glucose is the carbohydrate
transported by the bloodstream to the various tissues and organs,
including the muscles and the brain, where it will be used as
energy.

Why do I need them -

Carbohydrate prevents your body using protein as an energy
source. When carbohydrate consumption is inadequate, protein is
broken down to make glucose to maintain a constant blood glucose
level. However, when proteins are broken down they lose their
primary role as building blocks for muscles. In addition, protein
breakdown may result in an increased stress on the kidneys.
Finally, glucose is essential for the central nervous system. The
brain primarily uses glucose as its energy source, and a lack of
glucose can result in weakness, dizziness, and low blood glucose
(Blood sugar also referred to as hypoglycaemia). Reduced blood
glucose during exercise decreases performance and could lead to
mental as well as physical fatigue.

What happens if I don't use them -

If you do not use the carbs you have just consumed your body
will store them as glucose in the liver and the muscles in a form
called glycogen. If glycogen stores are full, glucose is stored as
fat. Glycogen stores are used as an energy source when the body
needs more glucose than is readily available in the bloodstream
(for example, during exercise). The body has limited storage
capacity for glycogen (about 600g). If that 600g limit is exceed
any excess energy will be stored as fat.